Rhys Ifans Joins ‘James Bond 23’

Rhys Ifans Joins 'James Bond 23'

Longtime Welsh character actor Rhys Ifans is finally cashing in on decades of great work. Perhaps best known for roles in “Notting Hill” and “Enduring Love,” you’ve probably seen Ifans lately in films like “Greenberg,” “Mr. Nice” or “The Boat That Rocked.” But lately, the thespian has been banking paychecks for blockbuster fare — He played Xenophilius Lovegood in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1,” popped up in “Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang” and next summer he’ll get tangled with Peter Parker as Dr. Curt Connors, aka The Lizard, in “The Amazing Spider-Man.” But one more mega franchise can now add Ifans to its incredible roster of talent.

A source speaking to The Telegraph reveals “Ifans will appear in the film, as well as Javier Bardem, who will play the baddie. Much of the filming will take place in South Africa.”

For those up with their movie trivia know that Ifans and Daniel Craig are no strangers — the two locked lips in “Enduring Love.” Of course, no word has been given on what Ifans’ role will be but it continues a tremendous block of actors coming aboard with Craig, Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Naomi Harris and Judi Dench all set to appear. Also confirmed is that playwright and screenwriter Patrick Marber (“Closer,” “Notes on a Scandal“) came on at Mendes’ request to replace Peter Morgan, the first writer announced for the film, in penning the screenplay.

Lensing begins this fall and the still-untitled film will hit theaters on November 9th, 2012.

Bizarrely, I had a dream last night (just after reading this article, probably) in which Rhys Ifans got on a bus I was on and told me that he was going to play 006. So if that turns out to be true, you can quote my dream as a source.